After Marrying a Dying Bigshot Free Preview

The classic, luxurious Lincoln sedan slowly pulled up to the grand entrance of a large estate. Subsequently, the driver opened the car door. His gaze was slightly lowered, but his expression was somewhat contemptuous and indifferent.

A young girl was seen returning from the countryside. Her attire was incredibly modest and simple, making her appear like a young maid.

The “young maid” was actually the daughter of the Sullivan family. It was truly baffling.

“My father's mansion is huge! It's so beautiful!” Hazel Sullivan deliberately exclaimed, causing both the driver and the welcoming housekeepers to furrow their brows.

She let out an exclamation, an act deemed highly inappropriate by the driver and the housekeepers. After all, a cultured city dweller, no matter how surprised, would never voice such candid remarks.

They didn't hold the young maid in high regard, but as housekeepers of a wealthy household, they were required to maintain a certain level of elegance at all times. Hence, they would never overstep boundaries in their words or actions.

Naturally, Hazel noticed the expressions on the faces of these housekeepers, but she didn't care.

In the year she turned nine, she was left in the manor by her own biological father, living alongside her Alendorian nanny.

It wasn't until today that she was brought back to the city. As for the specific reason for her return, even the housekeepers who came to welcome her didn't know why.

Intrigued, Hazel couldn't help but wonder what her long-lost father, whom she hadn't seen for many years, wanted from her.

Of course, there was one extremely important matter that necessitated her return to the Sullivan family.

After passing through a field of flowers, she saw a three-story mansion. The front door was tightly shut, with only two housekeepers standing guard. As she ascended the steps, the housekeepers gently pushed open the grand entrance for her.

“Sweetheart, you're finally back. Your mom and I have been waiting for you for quite some time,” said her father, Declan Sullivan. Rising from the couch, he stepped forward to embrace Hazel, with Julia Litchfield closely following behind him.

Hazel looked toward the woman standing not too far away, a faint smile playing on her lips.

The woman referred to as her “mother” was, in fact, her stepmother. She had never once called this stepmother of hers “Mom.”

That was because Julia didn't deserve it.

“Dad, it's been a while.” Hazel ignored Julia, treating her as if she was nothing but thin air.

The woman, originally intending to embrace Hazel, became acutely aware of her awkward predicament, her gaze turning somewhat venomous. She shot her husband an angry look. In this household, no one had ever dared to treat her this way.

Declan signaled her with his eyes to keep calm. Today, they hadn't brought Hazel back for a reunion. They had a crucial task that only Hazel could accomplish.

“My dear, come here. I understand that you've reached the age of marriage. As a daughter of the Sullivan family, there certainly wouldn't be a man worthy of you in the rural estate. That's why I've called you back this time. I want to introduce you to an exceptional young man who is worthy of you.”

Declan didn't want to waste a single moment. If it weren't for preserving his image of a benevolent father in front of the housekeepers, he would have considered selling his ex-wife's daughter directly for money.

At that moment, he was coaxing and deceiving, hoping his daughter would agree to the marriage arrangement he had made with another family.

“Marriage?” Hazel immediately understood her father's intentions.

The sense of urgency in Declan suggested that there must have been some financial issues with the family business. It seemed they needed to sell off their daughter to acquire new funds.

As for his mention of an “exceptional young man,” she didn't believe it. If there truly were such an exceptional youth, her stepmother, Julia, would undoubtedly reserve him for her two biological daughters.

“No, I don't need to get married, especially since I'm still young.” Hazel feigned shock, shaking her head, clearly showing her resistance to the idea of an arranged marriage.

“What did you say?” Julia's voice rang out sharply, her eyes glaring angrily at Hazel. At that moment, all she could think about was if Hazel refused, it would be her daughter who would have to get married.

She certainly didn't want her daughter to marry a man on his deathbed. She'd heard that the family forbade women from remarrying. If that man were to die, wouldn't her daughter be forced into lifelong widowhood?

“Listen to me! You don't have the right to refuse. My dear daughter, you wouldn't want to see my business go under, would you? All these years, your living expenses in the countryside were covered by me. Now, it's time for you to repay me.”

Declan's patience was wearing thin. If his daughter continued to resist, he contemplated confining her until she gave in.

“But...” Hazel inwardly snorted, she didn't mind her marriage being arranged. However, she needed to know which family Declan had agreed to an arranged marriage with. This way, she could plan ahead on how to secure her footing in that family.

“Dad, can you tell me which family we are aligning with?” Hazel asked, appearing resigned to her fate. Her eyes were slightly red, looking as if she was on the verge of tears.

She knew that her seemingly fragile demeanor was the best disguise.

“Over at Maplewood Manor,” was all that Declan revealed. He left out the most crucial piece of information - the man in Maplewood Manor was seriously ill and on the brink of death.

However, that family had an odd rule. Only those who were married could ascend to heaven when they passed away. Otherwise, their spirits would forever wander in hell after death.

More importantly, in order to soothe the spirit of the deceased, that family did not permit remarriage.

These two peculiar rules had countless refined ladies and socialites quaking in their boots.

Upon seeing the confusion in Hazel's eyes, Declan speculated that she probably hadn't heard of Maplewood Manor. Having lived in the countryside estate since she was nine, she was likely unaware of the terrifying rules of that particular family.

Seeing her in this state, Julia, who was standing nearby, felt an immense sense of satisfaction.

Just look at this! Whether it's his deceased ex-wife or the daughter left behind by his ex-wife, I have ways to make their lives a living hell!

Hazel had successfully deceived Declan and Julia with her seemingly delicate facade. Had she instantly agreed to the marriage arranged by Declan, Julia would have definitely grown suspicious.

From the age of fifteen, she had taken a special interest in the activities of these families in Maritown.

She had heard of what kind of place Maplewood Manor was, and she was well aware of a man on the brink of death there. Of course, she was also quite familiar with two strange family rules that were upheld in Maplewood Manor.

However, these were trivial matters to her. If she were to marry into his family and the man happened to die, she would still be a member of that family. Regardless of her status within the family, she would inevitably hold some level of authority.

Hazel's bedroom was set up in a separate house, a considerable distance away from the mansion where Declan and his wife resided.

Her room was situated on the first floor. As she pushed open the window, her keen sense of smell instantly picked up the scent of blood carried in the biting cold wind.

Hazel lifted her gaze, noticing a shadow moving in the flower bed not too far away. Not every corner of the vast Sullivan Manor was equipped with street lights, and the area surrounding her house was shrouded in darkness. Fortunately, the moonlight provided some illumination, though it was occasionally obscured by passing clouds.

Could it be Julia who wanted her dead? No, it shouldn't be. That woman was currently preoccupied with the idea of her marrying the sickly man from Maplewood Manor. She shouldn't be after her life at the moment.

Reason told her that this was not the time to meddle in other people's business. She should turn off the lights and go to sleep immediately, pretending she was oblivious.

However... curiosity nudged her, compelling her to venture out.

By the time she regained her senses, she saw the man lying amidst the flowers, the scent of blood growing increasingly stronger.

“Who's there?” The man's voice rang out, weak and strained, suggesting he was injured. His actions were swift, and Hazel heard the distinct sound of a bullet being chambered.

“This is my home! Who are you?” Hazel whispered, careful not to raise her voice and alert the housekeepers.

“Save me, or I'll shoot you!” the man threatened, “I'm almost dead anyway. I don't mind dragging someone else down to hell with me.”

At that moment, the moon emerged from the dark clouds, bathing the surroundings in its pristine glow. Under this radiant moonlight, she saw a strikingly handsome man lying amidst a bed of flowers.

Without betraying any emotion, Hazel took a quick glance, observing the weapon in his hand. In a state of panic, she pleaded, “Don't hurt me. I... I will save you.”

When she was uncertain of the other party's capabilities, she was hesitant to reveal her own skills. For all she knew, this man could have been sent by Julia to test her.

“Little beauty,” he said, “I assure you that I won't hurt you. However, you must help me tend to my wounds.”

Hazel's delicate eyelashes trembled, her voice laced with pitiful fear. “I don't want to die. I'm so scared. As long as you don't hurt me, I promise to do my best to save you.”

Hazel also found it peculiar. It was the first time she had seen someone wielding a gun to force others to save them. Shouldn't they be pleading more politely for someone to rescue them?

If it weren't for the fact that they were in the Sullivan Manor, surrounded by housekeepers, making it difficult to dispose of a body, she really wanted to kill this uncultured brute and bury him in the ground.

After exerting a great deal of effort, Hazel managed to help him back to her room. Just as she was about to check his wounds, he stopped her by placing his hand on her head, instructing, “Go and turn off the lights.”

Hazel narrowed her eyes, listening to the man's powerful voice. Perhaps he wasn't injured at all.

“What are you trying to do? I'm supposed to be Maplewood Manor's bride!”

“Is that so? The bride?”

“You're from Maritown, right? Then you must know about the daughter of the Sullivan family who's about to be wed into Maplewood Manor. This wedding has the whole city buzzing. I am that bride. If anything were to happen to me, don't you think you'd be in even bigger trouble? Let me go. I didn't see anything, and I won't say a word!”

Hazel was genuinely grateful to her stepmother, Julia, at this moment. When Julia brought her back to Maritown, she had only allowed her to travel by a low-cost train. However, the wedding she had arranged was extraordinarily lavish and sensational, all to garner a good reputation for herself.

The daughter of the Sullivan family was to be married into Maplewood Manor to bring luck. This had become the biggest piece of gossip in Maritown. Hazel was taking a gamble, betting that this man didn't want to stir up trouble.

The man held onto her longer than she expected. Just as she was gearing up to resist, noises echoed from outside. She could hear the distinct sound of footsteps, and it seemed like there were quite a few people.

“Make a sound!” In the darkness, the man's lips were once again by her ear, commanding.

It seemed as though Hazel had just heard the joke of the century. He wanted her to make a sound? How was she supposed to do that? Was she supposed to cry out for help?

Seeing that she remained silent for a prolonged period, the man pressed a gun against her head with one hand, while forcefully pinching her waist with the other.

Subconsciously, Hazel let out a gasp of surprise, and sure enough, the footsteps outside came to a halt.

“Continue.”

So, was he trying to create the illusion that someone was making love in this room to evade the search from the group outside?

What a terrible idea it was. Those fools outside actually didn't continue to approach, and they even ended up leaving.

This incredibly foolish idea had surprisingly fooled the group of people outside.

“You did well, my bride,” he praised. Taking advantage of Hazel's distraction, he stole a kiss on her cheek under the cover of darkness. Then, he opened the window and jumped out.

“We'll see each other again.”

Hazel's eyes widened in surprise. What did he just say?

The minor hiccup from the previous night didn't disrupt Hazel's plans. Once dawn broke, she surveyed the surroundings of the manor. It turned out, as expected, that the Sullivan family was indeed on the brink of bankruptcy, given their surprisingly poor security measures.

Of course, it was also possible that Declan and Julia hadn't considered her safety at all. Hence, they had arranged for her to stay in a secluded corner of the manor.

The housekeeper had arrived early in the morning to help her get dressed and groomed. Afterward, she was escorted by a group of people to Castlewoods Estate. It was here that the Sullivan family's wedding was to be held that day.

Declan led his daughter by the hand onto the stage. Unfortunately, there was no groom waiting by the minister's side.

Hazel feigned ignorance, displaying the bashfulness of a young maiden. She looked around expectantly. “Dad, why... hasn't the groom arrived yet?”

As soon as her words fell, Julia's expression changed abruptly.

Everyone exchanged puzzled looks, wondering what was going on. Could it be that the bride was unaware she was marrying a man so ill he couldn't even make it to the ceremony?

Declan stepped forward, his gaze filled with a hint of guilt and evasion. “Hazel, the groom... the groom is feeling a bit under the weather, so he won't be coming today. But don't worry. The minister will carry out all the necessary procedures.”

And so, the peculiar wedding ceremony began. Standing alone before the minister, the bride was the only one making vows. Following this, she slipped a ring onto her own finger.

“Does she know nothing at all?” The guests below began to whisper amongst themselves.

Her docile and gentle demeanor stirred a wave of sympathy among everyone. People started to point and whisper about Julia, causing a buzz.

“I heard the bride is the daughter of his ex-wife...”

Julia's face turned sour. She had thought she was in control of this wedding, but Hazel had effortlessly turned the tables, leaving her embarrassed. It seemed she had underestimated Hazel.

However, there was plenty of time ahead, and she had numerous ways to deal with her.

Hazel arrived at Maplewood Manor, entering the room where her husband was.

The lights were off in the newlywed's room, with the heavy curtains blocking any outside light. The room was shrouded in darkness, giving off a somewhat eerie ambiance.

She approached the bedside, faintly making out the figure of a man lying on the plush bed.

This was her newlywed husband.

She had barely reached the edge of the bed when, in the next moment, her delicate, fair wrist was seized by a hand. Everything spun around her, and before she knew it, she was pinned beneath him.

Upon seeing this, Hazel was taken aback. It was said that her newlywed husband was a ghostly figure, sick to the core. However, the grip on her fair wrist was strong and firm, clearly belonging to a very healthy man.

Who was he?

Hazel quickly bent her knees, pushing up toward him.

However, the man was quicker. He effortlessly dodged her attack, and with a bend of his knee, he pinned her down, rendering her unable to move.

His movements were swift, precise, and ruthless.

“Who are you? Let go of me!”

Hazel struggled intensely, their bodies rubbing against each other, separated only by a thin layer of fabric.

A deep, magnetic voice echoed in her ears swiftly. “I didn't expect my bride to be so nimble.”

This voice!

It's the man from last night!

“Do you remember me, my bride? Ah, no... My wife.”

Suddenly, Hazel remembered what the mysterious man had said before he left last night - “my bride.”

The person who appeared in this room was likely her newlywed husband. However, her husband was in perfect health, a robust young man.

At that moment, the man's fingers had already traced their way down her jawline, landing on the buttons of her blouse, and were in the process of undoing them one by one.

Hazel swiftly grabbed his hand. “I've already stopped moving. What are you doing?”

“Make some noise. I know you can. You just learned it last night.”

At that moment, Hazel heard a suspicious sound from outside their newlywed room. A housekeeper was trying to stop Matilda. “Old Mrs. Luellen, this isn't right. We should go back...”

“Shh...” The elderly lady made a silencing gesture in annoyance. “I'll just listen, no need to watch!”

Matilda was entirely sprawled against the window, eavesdropping.

Hazel wanted to get up and see what was happening, but Zachary Luellen held her back, his hand firmly on her shoulder. “Make some noise now.”

Hazel guessed that he was putting on a show for the elderly lady outside, needing her cooperation, but...

“I don't know how.” Her outcry last night was solely because her waist was gently pinched all of a sudden.

In the darkness, Zachary's deep-set eyes were as sharp as a hawk's. He was looking at the girl beneath him. She was only twenty years old, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, and her eyes filled with a mix of dignity and embarrassment.

“Then... I'm sorry.” After saying this, Zachary lightly pinched Hazel's waist once more.

“Ah!”

Hazel felt a tickle around her waist. She couldn't help but let out a sound, tinged with a hint of laughter.

Zachary curved his lips. “Do you know now? Keep making noise, or I'll bruise your waist,” he warned in a low threatening tone.

A shiver ran through Hazel, not doubting him in the slightest. Thus, with her eyes closed, she complied and continued making some noise.

Outside, Matilda breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness. My grandson isn't gay or impotent! Thank the heavens.”

Matilda was overjoyed, her excitement evident in her animated movements. She left rather quickly.

Hazel swiftly pushed the man off her, and this time, Zachary cooperated, releasing her.

With a click, he turned on the wall lamp.

She lifted her gaze, looking at the man.

The man had already gotten out of bed, revealing a handsome face. He was extraordinarily good-looking, with facial features as if meticulously sculpted by the heavens. Every gesture he made exuded an inherent aloofness and cold nobility.

Her pupils contracted slightly. She dared to say that the man standing before her was, without a doubt, the most handsome man she had ever seen in her life.

She was also quite astonished...

“You! Weren't you supposed to be sickly patient?”

Zachary's thin lips curved into a mysterious smirk. “I never said I was a dying patient.”

In his eyes, a hint of curiosity emerged. The butler had informed him that the Sullivan family had arranged a marriage with a country girl, who spoke with a thick rural accent.

Regardless of whether it was a marital stand-in or a rural accent, he didn't mind at all, as long as his grandmother was happy.

However... he didn't detect any hint of a rural accent in the girl's speech.

Contrarily, she was beautiful, as if she were a daughter of the divine.

At that moment, the sound of a rhythmic knock echoed, followed by the voice of the butler, Winston, from outside the door. “Mr. Luellen.”

Zachary slightly parted his thin lips. “Come in.”

Winston pushed the door open. “Mr. Luellen, what... should we do with Mrs. Luellen?”

Zachary stood tall and dignified by the bedside. The man, standing at a height of one hundred and eighty-seven centimeters, was dressed in a simple white shirt and black trousers. Yet, the costly fabric seemed to be tailor-made, accentuating his slender and statuesque figure, exuding an exceptional aura.

Zachary lowered his gaze, his fingers deftly playing with the shimmering silver button on his shirt cuff. He cast a casual glance at Hazel. “You might not know this, but there are two wolves kept in the backyard of Maplewood Manor. How about... we throw you in as their meal?”

Hazel's heart tightened. This marriage was arranged by the older generation. There were four prominent families in Maritown - the Luellens, the Guerras, the Hundalls, and the Sturridges.

The young master of the Luellen family was said to be a force to be reckoned with, rumored to be the most youthful and handsome tycoon of his generation in the business world. However, no one had seen his true face, making him incredibly mysterious.

Maplewood Manor was situated in a remote location, clearly not a place of affluence. The Sullivan family had sent people to investigate Maplewood Manor, only to discover that it was inhabited by a grandfather and his grandson. This grandson was none other than her rumored ill-fated sickly husband.

Julia's greatest wish was to marry her two daughters into the four wealthy families of Maritown. The outcome with Maplewood Manor was something that Julia wished she could dig up the Sullivan family's ancestral grave to ask the older generation how they ended up arranging such a disastrous marriage.

Julia didn't want her daughters to marry a sickly person, but Declan was a traditionalist who valued filial piety. He was unwilling to break the marriage arrangement set by the older generation.

Her daughters couldn't proceed with the marriage, so Julia thought of Hazel. Therefore, she brought her back to stand in as the bride.

Therefore, in Hazel's understanding, the man before her was definitely not some high-ranking official or prominent figure. However, at that moment, she found herself questioning this.

The man standing before her exuded an air of superiority with every move he made, an innate sense of aloof elegance radiating from his core. He was akin to a commanding king, inspiring awe and reverence in those around him.

He even kept wolves in his backyard, wolves, an entertainment not suitable for the average person.

Hazel wanted to speak, but at that moment, the man abruptly placed both his hands on the table. He subtly narrowed his handsome eyes, revealing a look of pain.

The butler's face paled considerably, and he quickly said, “Mr. Luellen, I'll fetch the doctor right away!”

Hazel's gaze shifted downward, landing on his two large hands braced against the table. The veins were throbbing visibly, a sign that seemed like the onset of a distressing condition.

Is he sick?

Moreover, it seems like a terrifying illness.

At that moment, Hazel's eyes were met with the man's narrow eyes. Zachary turned his head to look at her, but his words were directed at the butler. “Tell her to leave!”

The butler quickly urged, “Mrs. Luellen, you should leave at once.”

Hazel knew she couldn't leave. This time, she had returned to the Sullivan family with a purpose, needing the status of the bride of Maplewood Manor.

Hazel looked at Zachary with clear, bright eyes, not showing a hint of evasion. “You're sick. What kind of illness? I have some knowledge of medicine, and I'm good at acupuncture. I can help treat you,” she said.

Zachary's lips thinned into a cold, stern line. He only responded with one word in a low voice, “Leave!”

Instead of leaving as expected, Hazel moved closer to him. “Just now, I detected the scent of precious medicinal herbs on you, such as lilies, poria, and Gastrodia - all of which are used to treat... insomnia. If I'm not mistaken, you must be suffering from sleep disorders, unable to find rest at night.”

The butler stared at Hazel in shock. “Mrs. Luellen, you...”

Hazel's gaze landed on Zachary's handsome face. “Just how severe has your insomnia become? If it progresses too far, it can seriously affect your mental state. Your body will be pushed to its limits without any rest or relaxation. It's as if there's another you living inside, one that's gloomy, irritable, frightening, and almost pathological.”

Zachary's slender eyes grew increasingly red, a gloomy aura had already enveloped him. He reached out, gripping Hazel's neck.

The young girl's delicate neck was incredibly fragile. A mere gentle squeeze from him would have been enough to end her life.

“Mrs. Luellen, please stop provoking Mr. Luellen! Mr. Luellen, please release Mrs. Luellen now!” The butler was so distressed. He was on the verge of rushing forward.

Her breathing was growing incredibly difficult, causing her face to gradually flush red. However, with a swift turn of her hand, she quickly inserted a silver needle into Zachary's acupoint.

Zachary loosened his grip and settled down on the couch.

Hazel was panting heavily. She didn't want to lose her life here upon her return this time. She was terrified earlier.

The man before her was exceedingly dangerous. It wasn't just his mysterious identity that was alarming, but his sleep disorder alone had the power to transform him from a poised and distinguished gentleman into a monster at any given moment.

However, she had no way out; she had no choice but to go all in.

Hazel took a moment to steady her breathing, then moved behind him. She raised her delicate fingers to his temples, beginning to massage him.

Zachary closed his eyes, hiding the intense redness within. “So, your treatment is just giving me a massage?” he asked.

“You must be thrilled. You're the first man I've ever given a massage to.”

“You're saying as if you're not the first woman who has the privilege of massaging me.”

There was no way to continue the conversation.

“Let me stay. We can live together peacefully. You don't interfere with my personal life, and I'll play along with you in front of your grandmother. I can also help you with your insomnia. What do you say?”

Zachary remained silent.

When Hazel pushed a slender silver needle into Zachary's acupoint on his head, Zachary closed his eyes, letting his head fall back onto the couch.

Hazel quickly reached out, gently and tenderly catching his handsome face as he leaned in.

He had fallen asleep.

The butler on the side was already breaking out in a cold sweat. While others may not know Zachary's identity, how could he be ignorant? Zachary was none other than the young leader of the Luellen family, a prodigy admired by all. He had been manipulating the business world since his early teens, single-handedly creating the legend of the Luellen family.

No one had ever dared to negotiate with Zachary like this before, let alone a girl.

Over the years, any girl fortunate enough to meet Zachary would inevitably find herself awash in a rosy haze of admiration and affection, yearning for nothing more than to throw herself into his arms.

The young lady before his eyes was incredibly unique. Even in the face of the ailing Zachary, she remained calm, composed, and intelligent.

What was even more astonishing was that Zachary had actually fallen asleep.

He hadn't slept in quite a while.

The doctors who treated Zachary for his insomnia were all top-ranked in the world, but they couldn't do anything about it. However, Zachary had fallen asleep in Hazel's arms.

“Mrs. Luellen...” the butler said.

Hazel placed her finger on her lips, making a “shush” gesture. “You may leave. I've got this covered,” she said.

For reasons unknown, the butler felt a comforting strength emanating from her. Obediently, he left the room.

The space was engulfed in an eerie silence.

Hazel allowed him to rest in her arms for a moment. Once he had slipped into a deep sleep, she gently placed him on the couch and covered him with a blanket.

After all was done, Hazel tucked herself into bed and drifted off to dreamland.

At that moment, Zachary on the couch slowly opened his eyes. He had awoken.

Zachary rose to his feet and approached the bed. He extended his fingers to lift the veil from Hazel's face.

Quickly, Zachary's fingers came to a halt, not lifting the veil from her face.

He cast his gaze down at the girl who was already asleep on the bed. He began to gaze at her shut eyes. Her eyes were so beautiful, bright and glossy like a kitten's. When she looked up at him, it felt as if an adorable kitten was gazing at him.

She was a blend of innocence and allure.

Zachary looked at the red mark on her neck. Her skin was delicate, and he had only lightly pinched her earlier, but now a red mark had appeared.

Zachary turned around, returning to the couch and laying down once again.

His sleep disorder was progressively worsening; something her silver needles definitely couldn't treat. Nevertheless, her medical skills were impeccable, and he had indeed managed to catch a brief respite in her arms earlier.

Approximately ten minutes had passed.

He hadn't managed to get even ten minutes of sleep in a long time.

Zachary looked at the delicate figure on the bed, his thoughts consumed by how incredibly soft her hands were.

The following morning arrived.

Hazel was seated in the dining room, sipping on fresh juice served by the housekeeper. Beside her, Matilda chatted away with a beaming smile.

“Hazel, the moment I saw you, I was smitten. If Zachary ever bullies you, tell me. I will give him a piece of my mind... Drink up. Don't stop. Have more freshly squeezed juice. It's good for your health. Take care of yourself, so you can conceive a healthy baby...”

Matilda already had hair as white as snow, but she was vivacious and exuded a kind and amiable aura. If one were to overlook her teasing nature, Hazel found herself quite fond of her.

At that moment, the housekeeper's voice rang out. “Mr. Luellen, good morning.”

Zachary had descended the stairs.

Hazel looked up, catching sight of Zachary dressed in a crisp white shirt and black trousers that day. His outfit was a classic heartthrob ensemble, and the handcrafted fabric was ironed to perfection without a single wrinkle. As he descended the staircase, he carried an inherent air of elegance and nobility.

Following behind was an elderly wedding facilitator, who also descended. She held a white silk handkerchief in her hands, which seemed to have a hint of bloodstain on it.

The wedding facilitator quietly approached Matilda, presenting her with the white silk scarf stained with blood.

Upon seeing the bloodstains on the white silk scarf, Matilda gave a nod of satisfaction.

She was born into nobility and placed great importance on a girl's chastity. In her perspective, virginity was a symbol of purity and family honor.

Upon seeing that, Hazel was slightly puzzled. They hadn't done anything, so... What was the deal with the bloodstains on the scarf?

At that moment, Zachary paused by her side. With one hand casually tucked into his pocket, he leaned in with his tall frame, whispering into her ear, “I did it. I hope I didn't overstep. I have no intention of forcing you into anything, but I also don't want my grandmother to misunderstand you.”

At that moment, the two of them seemed quite affectionate. Zachary bent down to whisper something to Hazel, looking very much like a newlywed couple deeply in love.

Matilda immediately burst into laughter. “Seeing you two get along so well, I am now at ease.”

Zachary observed the subtly flushed earlobes of Hazel, his striking eyebrows arched slightly, exuding a mature and slightly roguish charm. “Your twentieth birthday hasn't arrived yet, so technically you're still nineteen. You've married me, but I'm willing to wait for you to grow up.”

Hazel was still very young, only nineteen years old.

Zachary was twenty-seven years old, an age where a man was in his prime, both handsome and mature.

His words seemed like a confession, and as he moved closer to her, all Hazel could feel was his warm breath cascading over her delicate skin, making her want to retreat.

“Do you want to eat?”

Hazel turned around and promptly fed him the bacon from her own plate, desperately wanting to shut him up.

The butler on one side immediately exclaimed, “Mrs. Luellen, that's your breakfast!”

Zachary was quite obsessive about cleanliness. The breakfast had been eaten by Hazel, so the butler quickly fetched some mouthwash.

Hazel's slender fingers trembled. Earlier, in her determination to silence him, she had inadvertently fed him the breakfast she had already eaten.

After being fed, Zachary straightened up. He furrowed his handsome brows for a moment, then under the watchful eyes of everyone, he ate the bacon that had been fed to him.

The butler was taken aback, wondering what on earth had happened to Zachary.

“Mr. Luellen, you have mysophobia. Have you forgotten?”

Matilda nodded in satisfaction. Having lived past seventy, she had developed a keen eye for people. At first glance, she took a liking to Hazel. She believed that this girl was destined to be with her grandson.

“All right. All right. You two can share a breakfast. It seems my grandson's mysophobia isn't as extreme as I thought.” Matilda was as gleeful as a child.

Hazel held the fork and knife that she had used to feed Zachary. She looked at the other food on the plate, torn between whether to continue eating or to replace her utensils.

At that moment, Zachary took a seat. His narrow eyes glanced over, and he expressed his deep concern. “Why have you stopped eating? Come on. Eat up. What's the matter? Do you have mysophobia too?”

Hazel knew that Zachary was doing this on purpose. She had just fed him with the utensils she had used earlier, and now he wanted her to continue using the same utensils.

This implied that the two of them had shared an indirect... kiss.

Hazel quickly finished off the remaining food with her knife and fork. “I'm done eating.”

Watching the girl's charming yet naive demeanor, Zachary curled his lips slightly, feeling quite pleased.

After breakfast, Matilda turned to Hazel and asked, “Hazel, are you planning to go out later?”

Hazel nodded. “Grandma, I need to return to my parents' home for a bit.”

“Going back to your maternal home is a must. Zachary, you should go with Hazel. Bring gifts as well. A son-in-law's etiquette should not be disregarded,” Matilda swiftly called out to Zachary.

By the time Hazel tried to stop that from happening, it was already too late. Zachary had approached her and said, “All right. Let's go together.”

The two of them left Maplewood Manor, making their way to the lawn. With a gentlemanly gesture, Zachary opened the passenger side door of the car. “Get in.”

Hazel waved her hand dismissively. “Grandma can't see anymore. You should go on with your work. I'll take a taxi back to my parents' place.”

Zachary arched an eyebrow. “Didn't we agree you'd play along in front of my grandmother? Get in the car. Don't make me repeat myself a third time.”

This man was truly assertive and domineering.

However, a jolt went through Hazel's heart. He had agreed to the peace agreement she proposed last night.

Hazel no longer resisted. She compliantly got into the luxury car.

The luxury car sped down the road, with neither occupant speaking another word. To sidestep the awkwardness, Hazel simply turned her face toward the window.

The polished car window reflected Zachary's silhouette. The man was focused on driving, his hands confidently resting on the steering wheel. He maneuvered turns, switched lanes, and accelerated with ease and fluidity.

Hazel noticed the expensive steel watch adorning the man's sturdy wrist, its price in the tens of millions.

Hazel wasn't sure about his true identity. All she knew was that they had reached a peaceful agreement, which made it easier for her to navigate affairs in the Sullivan family.

Hazel rested her gaze on the rapidly passing scenery outside the window.

Half an hour later, the luxury car pulled up at the front of Sullivan Manor. Hazel lowered her gaze to unbuckle her seatbelt.

However, it couldn't be unraveled.

“Allow me,” Zachary offered, leaning his tall frame forward.

Hazel loosened her grip, allowing Zachary to help her unbuckle it.

In truth, Zachary had already caught a whiff of the fragrant scent on Hazel the previous night. He looked at Hazel, puzzled.

She... is so peculiar!

Zachary had experienced all sorts of perfumes on women, but no matter what the scent, he found it nauseating to the point of wanting to vomit.

However, the scent wafting from this girl was incredibly pleasant.

Zachary unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning in slightly as he asked in a hushed tone, “What perfume are you using?”

Perfume?

Shaking her head, Hazel said, “I'm not wearing any perfume.”

“Why do you smell so good...”

Zachary looked up, but the next moment, he froze. The moment he raised his gaze, he gently brushed against Hazel's crimson lips.

The two unexpectedly found themselves sharing a kiss.

Hazel's heart fluttered. This was... her first kiss.

Quickly, Zachary pulled away. His deep, narrow eyes swept over her red lips, his throat bobbing. “I'm sorry... I... I didn't mean to. It was an accident...”

Hazel shot him a glare. “I think... I ought to slap you. After all, that was my first kiss!”

Zachary curled up his thin lips, a burst of magnetic and pleasant laughter emanating from his throat.

Hazel pulled open the passenger-side door. “I'll make a move first.”

“My name is Zachary.”

Hazel didn't give it much thought, simply responding with a nonchalant hum. At that moment, she couldn't care less about his name. All she wanted was to see her grandfather.

“I understand, Mr. Luellen. Goodbye.” Hazel stood outside the car, giving Zachary a small wave.

Today, Hazel wore a red sweater. When she waved her hand, the sweater slid up, revealing her slender waist. Zachary's fingers, resting on the steering wheel, gently caressed it. He found himself reminiscing about the two times he had held her waist.

“I have a meeting later. I'll come and pick you up afterward.”

“No need...”

By the time Hazel refused, the luxury car had already sped off.

The scene unfolding was keenly observed by Sage Sullivan from the upper floor. Well, well, Hazel sure knows how to play her cards. Last night, she married a man who's at death's door, and today, she's already cozying up to another man.

Sage glanced at the luxury vehicle. It was decent but not top-tier. However, the license plate of the car...

Sage had never seen that license plate before, but she had heard her best friend mention it. Apparently, the car with that plate was so impressive that it could turn heads all over Maritown.

How could the random man that Hazel got involved with possibly own such a license plate?

Sage doubted what she had just seen, rubbing her eyes for a clearer view. But by the time she looked again, the luxury car had already departed.

She must have seen it incorrectly.

Sage hurriedly ran downstairs, just in time to spot Hazel. She immediately burst into laughter. “Hazel, who was that man who just dropped you off? I didn't expect you to be so impatient with loneliness, already keeping a pretty boy!”

A pretty boy?

Zachary?

An image of Zachary's refined and handsome face surfaced in Hazel's mind, along with his strong, domineering style that was subtly revealed through his mature and reserved demeanor. It was impossible for her to associate him with being a pretty boy.

It was quite amusing. The Sullivan family was clueless about who the young master of the Luellen family was, assuming she was keeping a pretty boy.

“Where's Grandpa? I need to see him,” Hazel said, bypassing Sage and heading upstairs.

In the room upstairs, Henry Sullivan lay in bed, having been in a coma for ten years. Doctors had long since declared him to be in a vegetative state.

In the Sullivan family, aside from her mother, Henry cherished Hazel the most.

A decade ago, when she was just nine, her mother had tragically passed away due to illness. One fateful day, she woke up to find herself lying at the top of the staircase, with her grandfather sprawled at the bottom in a pool of blood. At that moment, Declan and the housekeepers rushed in. Regardless of her explanations, everyone was convinced that she was the one who had pushed him.

Thus, without investigating the true circumstances of her grandfather's fall, Declan hastily sent the nine-year-old girl to the countryside overnight. From then on, he turned a deaf ear to her.

It was only later that Hazel discovered that her father had been unfaithful during his marriage. He had an affair with the former renowned actress, Julia, and even fathered two children with her. The eldest, Calla Sullivan, was even older than Hazel.

This time, when Hazel returned home under the guise of a substitute bride, her goal was to uncover the truth of the past.

After taking Henry's pulse, Hazel proceeded to extract a silver needle. With precision. She then inserted it into the old man's acupoint...

Tucking away the silver needle, Hazel made sure Henry was properly covered with a blanket. In a soft voice, she assured him, “Grandpa, don't worry. I will definitely cure you. Soon, you will wake up.”

Inside the kitchen.

Sage found Julia. “Mom, I have something to tell you. Earlier, Hazel was brought back by a man. That man is the pretty boy Hazel is keeping!”

As Julia was preparing some broth, she paused in surprise at the words she heard. “What? Are you sure? Keeping a pretty boy is an expensive affair. Does she have the money for that? Could it be that she's already found a lover right after getting married?”

“She's now married to that sickly guy from Maplewood Manor, and I'm sure his family must be giving her an allowance every month. She's probably using that money to keep her pretty boy. What a shameless little tramp.”

Looking at her bustling mother, Sage curiously asked, “Mom, who is this pot of broth for?”

“Hazel.”

“What, Mom? I didn't hear wrong, did I?”

Julia took out a packet of powdered drug, sprinkling it into the thick broth. “What's the rush? I'll add a sedative to this broth. Yesterday at the wedding, Mr. King took a fancy to Hazel. I think Hazel has a pretty good figure, and she could fetch a good price. Besides, she married a man who's on his deathbed. We can still sell her off to other big shots as a plaything. Once I have some provocative photos of her, she won't dare to disobey.”

Sage gave a thumbs up, expressing her admiration. “Mom, you're brilliant! I'm going to the cake shop to buy a cake, and I'll be back later to watch the show!”

Julia brought out the broth she had prepared. Just then, Hazel descended the stairs. Swiftly, Julia called out, “Hazel, I personally made this broth for you. Come and have some quickly.”

Julia had prepared soup for her, but could she really eat this bowl of soup?

Hazel, with a charming smile, confidently strode into the dining hall. She even took a few spoonfuls of the broth, expressing her gratitude with a delighted smile. “This is delicious, Aunt Julia. Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. Just finish it all if it's tasty.” Inwardly, Julia cursed her as a fool, but on the surface, she kept a polite smile.

Soon, Hazel felt darkness creeping into her vision. “Aunt Julia,” she asked, “what... what did you give me to eat?”

Hazel collapsed directly onto the table.

With a smirk, Julia ordered her people to escort Hazel into the upstairs room.

Soon, an overweight middle-aged man, slick with sweat, came running over excitedly. “Mrs. Sullivan,” he panted, “Where is she? Did you get her?”

“Mr. King,” Julia said with a smile, “Hazel is in the room. This sedative should keep her asleep for a couple of hours. You can enjoy your time undisturbed.”

“Mrs. Sullivan, you've handled this beautifully.” Marcus King, in a state of urgency, dashed toward the room.

Julia abruptly grabbed hold of Marcus. “Mr. King, you had previously agreed to invest in Sullivan Healthcare...”

At the wedding banquet yesterday, Marcus was captivated by the stunning elegance of Hazel, causing his heart to flutter. As a result, he struck a deal with Julia.

“Mrs. Sullivan, rest assured. I'll keep my word,” said Marcus as he swiftly entered the room.

Inside the room, Marcus was practically salivating as he stared at Hazel, who was lying on the bed. He quickly stripped off his clothes and pounced, declaring, “My little beauty, I'm here!”